She could not tell a lie
UNITED WAY IN THE NEWS
February 9, 2006
Regina senior wins scholarship for essay about a tough call on the court
BY SHABINA S. KHATRI
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER
Eileen DiSante never thought that being honest would help her pay for college. But that's exactly what happened last week, when the 18-year-old Regina High School senior won second place in the Ethical Athlete Awards.
The essay-writing contest is sponsored by Deloitte & Touche USA LLP and United Way for Southeastern Michigan.
In her essay, the St. Clair Shores resident wrote about staying truthful in all dealings -- regardless of the consequences.
That message became clear to her last year during regional tennis championships. DiSante's partner hit what she believed to be the match point, but the opposing team claimed the ball had gone out. With no line judge to make the final call, DiSante's partner turned to her for confirmation that the ball was indeed in, and that they would be advancing to the state finals.
She writes:
"From where I had been standing on the court, I had seen the ball land out. For a moment I almost agreed that the ball was in, and we won the match, but, my conscience pricked me and my decision became apparent.
"I told my partner what I saw and went over and congratulated the opposing team. My partner was furious with me. I told my coach what had happened, and she thanked me for my honesty.
"So we lost that match, but I gained something greater. That day, we placed second at Regionals. It wasn't first, but the lesson I learned was far more important."
DiSante's essay, which was selected from 40 other entries, won her a $3,000 scholarship, which she plans to use while studying engineering at either the University of Michigan or University of Detroit Mercy.
Judges said her essay's theme of doing the right thing even when it was difficult is more important than ever, as unethical behavior in the workplace has begun to find its way to the classroom.
Though fewer students say they would act unethically to get ahead if there were no chance of getting caught, more than 40 percent of young people surveyed by Deloitte U.S. Firms and Junior Achievement Worldwide in 2005 admitted they might act unethically if instructed to by their boss, and more than a third would likely lie to their boss to cover up a mistake.
But it's doubtful that DiSante, who is also a star volleyball player at the school in Harper Woods, would bow to that pressure.
"I was very excited to win the scholarship," she said. "I'd like other young athletes to know that winning isn't everything, and that it's more important to play the game fairly."
Contact SHABINA S. KHATRI at 586-469-8087 or skhatri@freepress.com.
February 9, 2006
Regina senior wins scholarship for essay about a tough call on the court
BY SHABINA S. KHATRI
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER
Eileen DiSante never thought that being honest would help her pay for college. But that's exactly what happened last week, when the 18-year-old Regina High School senior won second place in the Ethical Athlete Awards.
The essay-writing contest is sponsored by Deloitte & Touche USA LLP and United Way for Southeastern Michigan.
In her essay, the St. Clair Shores resident wrote about staying truthful in all dealings -- regardless of the consequences.
That message became clear to her last year during regional tennis championships. DiSante's partner hit what she believed to be the match point, but the opposing team claimed the ball had gone out. With no line judge to make the final call, DiSante's partner turned to her for confirmation that the ball was indeed in, and that they would be advancing to the state finals.
She writes:
"From where I had been standing on the court, I had seen the ball land out. For a moment I almost agreed that the ball was in, and we won the match, but, my conscience pricked me and my decision became apparent.
"I told my partner what I saw and went over and congratulated the opposing team. My partner was furious with me. I told my coach what had happened, and she thanked me for my honesty.
"So we lost that match, but I gained something greater. That day, we placed second at Regionals. It wasn't first, but the lesson I learned was far more important."
DiSante's essay, which was selected from 40 other entries, won her a $3,000 scholarship, which she plans to use while studying engineering at either the University of Michigan or University of Detroit Mercy.
Judges said her essay's theme of doing the right thing even when it was difficult is more important than ever, as unethical behavior in the workplace has begun to find its way to the classroom.
Though fewer students say they would act unethically to get ahead if there were no chance of getting caught, more than 40 percent of young people surveyed by Deloitte U.S. Firms and Junior Achievement Worldwide in 2005 admitted they might act unethically if instructed to by their boss, and more than a third would likely lie to their boss to cover up a mistake.
But it's doubtful that DiSante, who is also a star volleyball player at the school in Harper Woods, would bow to that pressure.
"I was very excited to win the scholarship," she said. "I'd like other young athletes to know that winning isn't everything, and that it's more important to play the game fairly."
Contact SHABINA S. KHATRI at 586-469-8087 or skhatri@freepress.com.
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